Kaspers Korner

Jeremy Shockey has been labeled as a bad locker room teammate, over his complaining that his role with the team is not what it is use to.  After studying Shockey’s statistics, and also doing research, I have concluded that he has a ligitament gripe.

Shockey’s best year came as a rookie in 2002 when he caught 74 catches for 894 yards.  He was on pace to surpass those numbers the follwing year in 2003, but Shockey suffered a season ending injury

He has come close to the 894 yards receiving in 2005, with 891 yards receiving. However, his best total, since his rookie year, has been 66 catches in 2006. In 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Shockey has played in 15 games in each season.

The numbers are definately troubling when you look at them.  Athletes get better as time goes on with playing the same position in the same league.  Shockey’s numbers does not reflect that at all, and do not get me wrong i am not saying that Shockey’s play in decline. 

Even if Shockey played the last two game he most likely would of ended with 65 catches on the year again.  The tight ends were shut out in week 16 against the Buffalo Bills.  Then in the season finale tight end Kevin Boss caught four passes. 

Shockey is right, since Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has become the head coach of the team his numbers have droppped, which was even before wide receiver Paxico Burress was signed before the 2005 season.  The drop indicates one thing, and one thing only that being the running game has been used more than passing.

The proof of that is in a former teammates statistics, and that being Tiki Barber.  Before 2004, which was Coughlin’s first year, Barber surpassed 300 rushing attempts once, and that was 2002.  When Coughlin came on Barber had no less than 322 attempts per a year.  That means that at least 20 passing plays per a year is taken away to run the ball.

The fact is that the league is starting to move away from running, because of the abundance of quality wide receivers.  yeah Coughlin had a young quarterback in Eli Manning, but that is no excuse.  If anything the Giants should of been throwing just as much, because of Shockey being the security blanket for Manning in the offense.

Shockey is getting a bum rap for playing for an old school coach that will eventually wear out his welcome with the team.  Playing for a hard nosed in your face coach is tough, especially mentally.  That is due to the name calling that these guys use not like todays coach, which comes up to you pointing out what you did wrong.

In the end Coughlin did win a Superbowl, but this is a what did you do for me lately league, and if Coughlin does not win another Superbowl all this one will be is a fluke.  If he does not he will be fired before his contract runs out, and you know guys like Barber, and Shockey will be sitting there saying I told you so.